San Francisco 49ers eye NFC Championship game rematch

SANTA CLARA -- One lousy yard, that's how close the 49ers came within a third-down conversion on their last offensive snap against the New York Giants, all while last season's NFC Championship hung in the balance.

The 49ers went on to lose 20-17 in overtime, and although Kyle Williams' punt return gaffes attracted the most blame, the offense was doomed by 1-of-13 efficiency on third downs.

How far have the 49ers come since then? By one measure, they've at least gone 1,000 yards, which represents their combined offensive production in their past two blowout wins, including Sunday's 45-3 rout of the Buffalo Bills.

"The talent level has been upgraded, and guys are playing really well together," coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday.

The 49ers (4-1) are riding a wave of momentum into Sunday's rematch against the Giants (3-2) at Candlestick Park. As opposed to their last meeting, the 49ers look more capable of keeping pace with the offensive-minded Giants, who went on to win last season's Super Bowl.

The 49ers are scoring 29.8 points per game, tied for fourth-best in the league with the Chicago Bears through Sunday's games. One spot ahead of them at 30.4 points per game are the Giants, who'll have to contend with the 49ers' league-leading defense (13.6 ppg.).

Quarterback Alex Smith woke up Monday with an NFL-leading passer rating of 108.7. However, he also is coping with a sore middle finger on his throwing hand, something Harbaugh called "very much a concern" for any quarterback.

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Smith dismissed the injury Sunday as a sprain, and Harbaugh was willing to buy that diagnosis. "It's well-documented how tough he is," Harbaugh said. "He talks about it not being a big deal, so we'll see."

Smith and nearly every other offensive player earned kudos from their coach Monday, and understandably so after setting a franchise record with 621 yards against the Bills.

Randy Moss accounted for only an 11-yard catch, but Harbaugh said Moss has delivered so much more in his return from a one-year hiatus. Moss has followed his assignments, run routes with familiar speed and offered "enthusiastic suggestions" without selfish motives.

"I've seen nothing but a guy who just works hard, wants to contribute, practices and says and does all the right things," Harbaugh said. "If there was something in the past, it'd be like that Etch A Sketch you had as a kid and you lift it around. He's been nothing but good."

Moss ranks fourth among the 49ers with nine receptions for 99 yards, and his only touchdown came in the season-opening win at Green Bay. He had no receptions and was targeted only once in the 34-0 rout of the New York Jets on Sept. 30.

"It's a matter of time before he gets that big-catch day that everybody seems to only pin their evaluation," Harbaugh added.

Moss' presence -- albeit limited to about 25 percent of the snaps, and rarely on three-receiver sets -- is becoming overshadowed by the offense's overall improvement.

Against the Bills, the 49ers became the first team in NFL history to gain over 300 yards both passing and running in a game, a balanced attack they've striven for under Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

The 49ers converted on 7 of 11 third downs against the Bills, increasing their season efficiency to 39.6 percent with still plenty of room for improvement. Their final offensive play in the NFC title game: an 11-yard catch by Davis on third-and-12.

After last season's pitfalls against the Giants, the 49ers made alterations, such as signing Moss and two former Giants: wide receiver Mario Manningham and running back Brandon Jacobs. While Manningham caught his first touchdown pass as a 49er on Sunday, Jacobs was still awaiting his season debut. Jacobs suffered a knee injury Aug. 18 and is "still not quite there," Harbaugh said.

Manningham's 19 receptions for 186 yards trail only the team-high totals of Michael Crabtree (27, 311) and Vernon Davis (20, 303). Further bolstering the 49ers offense has been Alex Boone's insertion at right guard and Colin Kaepernick's spry-legged cameos in the "WildKap" formation.

"Whatever they can do to help the team move and score points and pick up first downs, they're doing it very much as a group and as a team," Harbaugh said.

Through Sunday's games, the 49ers owned the league's leading rushing attack at 195.8 yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry. Their eight rushing touchdowns are tied for third-most in the league.

The 49ers also touted the league's second-best defense in terms of both overall yards allowed per game (262.6) and passing yards per game (181.2). The run defense ranked seventh (81.4 ypg).

Linebacker Clark Haggans has served his three-game suspension, and the 49ers have released his roster replacement, Eric Bakhtiari, according to CSN Bay Area.